Child Critical After Alleged Fall Down Stairs In West Philadelphia, Police Investigating Abuse

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police say they are investigating to determine if 3-year-old Joaquin Brewton, who was found critically injured inside a West Philadelphia apartment house, was a victim of child abuse.

Investigators say medics were called to an apartment house in the 4700 block of Chestnut Street just after 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, after the child’s godmother dialed “911,” claiming he had fallen down the steps from their 4th floor apartment.

Brewton was rushed to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and admitted in very critical condition.

Investigators aren’t commenting on the young boy’s injuries or how they might have happened.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that doctors determined they were the result of “suspected child abuse.” Sources say, the doctors indicated he had suffered a shattered spleen, burns to his buttocks and bottoms of his feet, and had suffered both old and new injuries.

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Brewton’s godmother is now being interviewed by officers at the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit.